How Do Emotions Affect Your Life

In our previous blog, we discussed how societal barriers often restrict boys and men from using their range of emotions. In this blog, we shall talk about the affects of suppressing emotions on our mental health and daily lives.

Mental Health is a state of our mind and includes our emotions and social well-being. When adolescent boys and men are discouraged from expressing their feelings, a range of issues can arise, affecting their mental, emotional, social, and physical well-being.?

Mental Health

There are times when we feel excessively angry but instead of expressing we hold our feelings back, and it develops like a storm inside. This buildup can lead to many unwanted situations and may aggravate into severe disorders such as sudden bursts of aggression and anger, anxiety or increased stress levels and in some rare cases may also lead to feelings of depression.?

Hence, it's important to find healthy ways to express yourselves, because bottling up emotions can weigh heavily on our mental health, affecting how we feel and behave.

Emotional Regulation

Difficulty in recognising and understanding emotions can make it challenging for boys and men to regulate their feelings. Whereas, continuously suppressing emotions in life can lead to emotional numbness, reduction in the ability to experience positive emotions like joy and happiness.

Hence, it's important to learn to identify and express emotions to maintain emotional well-being.

Relationships and Communication

Difficulty expressing emotions can hinder forming deep relationships with friends and family. Habits of emotional suppression from adolescence may continue into adulthood impacting romantic relationships. Men who struggle to express emotions may find it hard to connect with their children, continuing a cycle of emotional suppression. This often leads to communication barriers, causing misunderstandings and conflicts in relationships.

Hence, it is important to understand relationships and consciously attempt to avoid gaps in communication with your loved ones.

Physical Health

Unexpressed emotions leading to chronic stress can result in physical ailments such as headaches, digestive issues, and high blood pressure. Additionally, prolonged stress weakens the immune system, making individuals more vulnerable to various illnesses.?

It's crucial to manage emotions effectively to maintain both mental and physical well-being.

Behaviour and Self

Suppressing emotions can lead to risky behaviours like substance abuse or physical aggression as a way to cope. It also affects academic and work performance due to reduced focus, drive, and overall productivity. If continued for elongated periods, it may also cause reduction in self-esteem and can lead to isolation and loneliness.

So, don’t hesitate to address emotions openly.

Societal Impact

The society often discourages emotional expression in men and this leads to reinforcement of toxic masculinity, perpetuating harmful stereotypes, behaviours. In the long term, this also impacts social interactions and a person’s ability to empathise with their audiences.

Written by: Rakesh Dongri , Project Associate at VOICE 4 Girls

Link to part 1 of the blog in this series:

1. Mard Ko Bhi Dard Hota Hai